filter options for a non co2 heavily planted tank

[Deeny]

I just picked up a fairly used Aqua one 55 litre tank which will be a non co2 system, heavily planted with low demand plants.

I have a fluval u2 internal filter that came with the tank.

I need advise on whether to upgrade to an external filter as I intend planting heavy although with easy plants or does it not matter and should I keep the u2 filter? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Zeus.]

Well if the tank is going to be heavily planted and low tech the filter main job will be to provide some flow, the plants will be doing most of the filtering, unless it packed with fish OFC. Dave at Aquarium Garden runs some of his nano tanks with an Ehiem Skim only but no fish.

Nice to get the extra space for plants but the filter that came with it should be fine IMO, I would just use course media and keep the output good

 

[Deeny]

Thanks Zeus, yeah a bit of a pain having it in the tank considering the size of the filter. In terms of flow u2 has three outflow options, top, spray bar and bottom. Which option would you advise will be best suited to my tank needs.

 

[Zeus.]

Spray bar FTW, Having the best tank turnover a filter can provide is always winner even in Low tech tanks, I would aim the spraybar up to create as much surface agitation as possible from back of tank to the front is possible